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How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

Making households more energy efficient is becoming a widespread concern, with an increasing number of homeowners taking steps to reduce the amount of power they consume on a day-to-day basis. Not only is conserving energy good news for the environment, it can also save a lot of money. Here are just some of the many ways you can make your home more eco-friendly and reduce your household bills:

Lighting

Replacing standard bulbs with LED lighting is one of the easiest ways to save energy. LED lighting can use up to 90 per cent less electricity than standard bulbs, which can make a huge difference when it comes to cutting household bills. Luckily, these cost-efficient products are now widely available. Lighting experts such as The Lighting Superstore offer a range of LED fixtures that can be used for a variety of purposes around the home. It’s also worth bearing in mind that these low-energy bulbs have a much longer lifespan than traditional lighting, meaning they will pay for themselves in just a few months.

Water

According to the Energy Savings Trust, each household uses approximately 360 litres of water every day. Seems rather excessive, doesn’t it? Investing in taps aerators and water-efficient shower heads is one of the easiest ways that homeowners can cut down on their water usage. Reducing the amount of water you use at home will not only lower your annual water bills, but also minimise carbon dioxide emissions used to pump, heat and treat the water.

Heating

Draught-proofing your home can also play an important role in saving energy. Start by blocking up any gaps around doors, windows, pipes, loft hatches and floorboards. Older houses may require new windows or even loft or wall insulation, in which case you will need to enlist the help of professional installers. Although this may cost more initially, it can make you huge savings in the long run. You may also want to consider insulating your hot water tank, as this can help to make hot water taps and central heating more efficient.

Appliances

Household appliances were once the main culprits of high electricity bills. However, today there is a wide range of energy-saving kitchen appliances available that are designed to reduce environmental impact and cut running costs. If you’re upgrading your appliances, make sure you pay attention to the energy rating labels.

Change bad habits

No matter how eco-friendly your home may be, it’s equally important to refrain from bad habits. To help bolster your efforts, try making small alterations to your lifestyle. For example, cutting down on the time you take in the shower, turning electrical items off rather than using standby mode and switching lights off when you leave the room can make a big difference.